Latest EU blacklist bans Iran Air A320s and 747s

06 July, 2010

SOURCE: Air Transport Intelligence news

BY: Kerry Reals

London

European safety authorities have expanded the operating restrictions imposed on Iran Air to include a ban on allowing the carrier's Airbus A320s, Boeing 727s and 747s to operate within the European Union.

In a revision of its airline 'blacklist' published in March, the European Commission placed restrictions on Iran Air after ramp checks uncovered evidence of "insufficient oversight".

However, at the time it said the airline could continue to operate 18 Airbus A300/310s, nine Boeing 747s, six Airbus A320s and a single Boeing 737 into Europe.

But in a further revision released today, the Commission says that - following a recent visit to Iran - its air safety committee "unanimously supported the expansion of the operating restrictions" to exclude Iran Air's fleet of A320s, 727s and 747s.

The Commission adds that it will "continue to closely monitor the performance of the airline through the results of ramp checks of its aircraft which can operate in the EU".

Surinam's regional carrier Blue Wing has been put back on the blacklist, following an Antonov An-28 accident in May.

Blue Wing had been on the original list of banned carriers but had its ban lifted in November 2007.

The latest ban is in response to "a series of accidents suffered by this airline and serious deficiencies revealed during ramp inspections of its aircraft", says the Commission.

Two Indonesian carriers, Metro Batavia and Indonesia Air Asia, have been removed from the latest blacklist.